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CULTURE - September 13th 2004
For the past 12 years an engineer from Timisoara is leading the National Opera House in Vienna. The [Vienna] New Yearâs Concert and the Arts Festival [in Bucharest] bring thus to the fore his name: Ioan Holender.
By CLAUDIA DABOVEANU
Ioan Holender: I have the opportunity now to answer to a letter addressed to me and that was not described as an open letter. I have nothing against an open discussion. Radu Lupu [symphonic music interpreter] does not want his concerts broadcast on radio and television. The Enescu [Romanian] Philharmonic orchestra and most probably Mr. Mandeal [Romanian conductor] lost some money because the concerto was not broadcast on television.
Mandeal accused me of discriminatory methods, in that I did not broadcast the concert of the Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra because it was a Romanian one. I knew the concert hall had some problems with the sound caption. It was very bad both at Lupuâs concert and at the performance of Aida. Why at the concerto of the Bavarian Orchestra conducted by [Zubin] Mehta everything went smooth while at the concerto of the Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra things went bad? Was it sabotage? Were the microphones stolen? This is a legal matter to be settled between [Dragos] Seuleanu [president of the Romanian Public Radio] and Mandeal. Honestly I am puzzled by the attitude Mandeal took on this issue, as I respect him a lot as a conductor.
Ioan Holender: I am very proud with our Romanian performers. The concerts of music and poems recitals taking place at the Athenaeum Hall were exceptionally well received by the public. I was very, very glad to see the corridors filled up with people. Where there any glitches? Some say I always look for those. Yes, I do look for the glitches, as mistakes are things we learn from. At the Opera in Vienna I have the same kind of attitude. I do not dispense praise, as it is self understood that one should do things right. I have to admit I always criticize. Getting back the Sala Palatului [Palace Hall] venue, no matter how you twist and turn, you have to admit this is not a hall for music concerts.
Mehta told this to PM [Adrian] Nastase, I told this to him too.
This country, which had its first concert hall [the Athenaeum Hall] built in 1888, as one of Europeâs first, now does not have a [big] concert hall, but one suited for conferences and congresses. Maybe it would have been better to have Aida performed two nights at the Opera Hall, than one night at the Sala Palatului.
Ioan Holander: To not give praise⦠I think that basically this strategy to change things that do not work well is not bad. Some newspapers said that I was tricked by some people. I am not that dumb to let myself being tricked or not see other peopleâs true intentions. [It was too much] to write that I brought Mehta to conduct on account of the Romanian peopleâs [money].
Ioan Holander: I forgot nothing, none of the attacks in the media, like "a Romanian lost in our land", in 1988-1989, right after my nomination. I believed I was able to accomplish something and the results were not bad at all. I turned into some kind of a legend. I cannot give you the recipe for success...
"What will I do after my tenure ends in 2010?" Well, I thought about doing nothing. Maybe I will turn to writing. Most certainly, I am not looking for a job. I have a good retirement pension.
Translation: ANCA PADURARU
